The Independent: France is the best place in the world to live, according to a survey released January 5, topping the list for the fifth year in a row. International Living magazine's 30th Quality of Life Index surveyed almost 200 countries across nine categories, including cost of living, culture and leisure, environment, safety and risk and culture and leisure. France topped the list for the fifth consecutive year, beating Australia and Switzerland; which took second and third place respectively.